US Prices

Toys, board games and dice are on the list of Chinese imports that President Trump has proposed for additional tariffs of up to 25%. The list was released today by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Trump proposed the tariffs after trade negotiations with China fell through on Friday.

Board games and dice are included under the subheading: 9504.90.60. “Chess, checkers, backgammon, darts and o/table and parlor games played on boards of a special design and parts thereof; poker chips and dice.”

Public hearings on the proposal will start June 17. During this time companies and individuals can provide input on tariff levels to be imposed. Requests to exclude specific subheading will also be taken. The tariffs could be implemented any time after June 24.

I saw your post on FB this morning, on the WoG page, Zoe - thanks for the heads-up. As you mentioned there, we can hope the T&T materials are in the pipeline and will not be affected by tariffs. Kind of a shame we haven't had an update from Ares saying they are definitely on the way...

What is likely to be affected are the new WGF and WGS releases, and what now may be the last tranche of BSG. Tripods should be OK.

Ares will have to be examining their business model now to see if it's still worthwhile doing miniatures rather than just their core business, board games. Those can be produced in Eastern Europe at comparable prices to Asian manufacturers for the reliable high quality needed. I have no idea just how large a slice the US market is for them, what their margins are, and what effect the decreased demand will have on manufacturing economies of scale.

It may be that a reversion to a model free Wings of War game, cards only, will be needed, as these may escape the tariffs.

Or they may just be able to go with a small price hike worldwide, and a rather larger one in the US, taking the financial hit.

Remember that all game companies will be affected, with many US FLGS closing.

I would hope that they make a submission for tariff relief, on the grounds that there are no US companies in the same niche business, and the likely effect on US game retailers and thus tax revenue.

Seeing this I had to check on dice manufactures. Saw there is only 1 company here in the states that make gaming dice, other then for casinos, and CHESSEX is made in Denmark. Good thing I have plenty of dice.

The Americans do not like us because they see us as part of the Asian economic bloc. The Chinese do not like us because they see us as being to close to the Americans. ......... I can see our Aussie dollar dropping to 50 US cents and copping a 50% tarrif on everything they can hit us for from China in retaliation.

Got an update on another Kickstarter (Castle Itter) that they are close to the cutoff for the ship date avoiding the tarriffs.
Received my Kickstarter U-Boot game last week. From Europe. The pieces are excellent. Maybe time to change sourcing for Ares.
(apparently Phalanx is allied with Ares?)

l am proud that Trump is standing up to China's trade policies. I am willing to pay a little more to get China to carry out fair trade policies. I had a business, a remote control model plane business and China steals RC plane plans. They changes them a little and make the same plane and undercut the makers. They make copies of games out and sells them through third party sellers. There is a lot more but we have to get China in check.

Indeed. Many cutting edge models and games have mysteriously become available from shadow sources based on prototypes being bid on by our friends from there. Sorry to hear about by your project hijacking. I was going to get one at one time, a DH2 wasn't it?

I'm with you Mike. This is much bigger than just games and toys. China doesn't seem to have a problem stealing other intellectual property either. A few years ago they were caught trying to steal corn from Iowa fields so they could "make it their own."

I would just like to remind members that this is a non political site.
We seem to be getting a bit near the edge here.
If we can please keep the topic to a general discussion of the possible supply and prices without castigating any countries or political figures I will be obliged.
Rob.

"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

OK Caveman...not following that point. Unless they were after a Hybrid so were stealing seed corn to avoid doing all the research. ( I can see that) Would not put it past them to steal it from the experimental fields then try to pattern it as a Hybrid of theirs and want us to pay royalties.

As for WoG stuff, quality of the plane decals has been tanking for a few years (getting smaller and covering less of the plane). I have also been whining about wanting them going back to the plane card decks and letting us source AIM and Shapeways models for a few years now. I am very sure they can get card stock printed in Europe and avoid the China issue all together. Also may see an end to Kickstarters for a while as the free ride for cheap stuff winds down. In the end this may give India and a few other Pacific Rim countries the in they need to get a chunk of the action breaking up China's stranglehold. I do bet Walmart is sweating bullets right now though.

EDIT:Hmm posted just after the warning went in to effect...so enough of this.

I would just like to remind members that this is a non political site.
We seem to be getting a bit near the edge here.
If we can please keep the topic to a general discussion of the possible supply and prices without castigating any countries or political figures I will be obliged.
Rob.

S6rry Boss. My comments were tongue in cheek and not meant to be taken seriously.

i would say dire prognostications of doom and gloom are extremely premature. it could very well be the case that once a more fair trade posture is ironed out, it could economically benefit ALL involved (except, perhaps those trying to game the system of course).

I would just like to remind members that this is a non political site.
We seem to be getting a bit near the edge here.
If we can please keep the topic to a general discussion of the possible supply and prices without castigating any countries or political figures I will be obliged.
Rob.

All Wars are because of politics, without politics this game would not exist. I believe in free speech and did my time in the service of my country to be able to speak my mind, and to allow others to speak their minds even though I don't agree with them. I hate political correctness, but will try to stay with in your political correctness.